With all the media hype on how to raise smart kids, it’s no wonder that many parents are under pressure of good parenting. From toddler play group parents to chat rooms the key focus of conversation and concern is how to raise smart kids or build brain power in children.
You would all agree that parents always want the best for their children, but in the modern era parents are more concerned about doing the right thing to encourage brain development.
Let’s understand simple ways to boost the child’s brain power and make them smart.
Each child is different and so are his interests. Some kids like to dance, sing, jump, draw, tell stories, mash up clay or simply play around. It is important to notice the interest of your child and encourage them to explore new ideas, discover, experiment and experience as much as possible. Support your child's hobbies and follow their lead. Teach them new skills and ask the children questions to develop intellectual curiosity.
Trick:
Expose your child to a new sport or activity that he enjoys. Encourage his imaginations. For instance you can ask him to set up an imaginary business of any product that he would like to trade. Question him further on how would he arrange for the funds? What would the office look like? What materials would he need to set up the business? What kind of people would he hire? and so on.
For a toddler you can ask him make a tree out of clay and ask him questions about the color of the leaf, or color of the stem, does the tree have any fruits and if yes, which fruit, how does the fruit taste, what is the color of the fruit and many more. Your child would use his imaginations to answers. Their answers may not always be right but it is important for the parent to be attentive and listen to their suggestion rather than commenting.
- Make him observe and connect
The ability to observe and to make connection between separate objects is the sign of intelligence. Parents should use this ability to compare and evaluate a situation using the analytical ability will help the child become more observant and will connect well with other things.
Trick
You can play games like I-Spy with your children. Ask them to notice, shapes and sizes while you walk or travel. You can also ask them to count the number of red buses that they see on the road. Or if you are in a queue waiting to buy a movie ticket or for an entry to an amusement park, ask him to see who is first? (Boy or a girl) who is second? Who is last in the queue? Count the number of people standing in the queue and many more questions that you can think of. Waiting would become a pleasure and it would stimulate their brains to think further.
- Cultivate Emotional Intelligence
Teaching your child how to be compassionate and empathetic is as important as teaching him verbal skills. Studies suggest that kids who are generous and empathetic, are better equipped to learn and face the day.
Trick
Ask your child to teach you how to draw his favorite cartoon character or how to play with the beyblade or anything that he enjoys to do. Then ask him who else could learn from his good performance- his younger sibling or a friend. Being able to share his qualities would help him become compassionate and empathetic.
